92 THE NATURALIST OF THE ST. CROIX 



was spent at home. On August 9, writing to Prof. Ridg- 

 way Mr. Boardman says: "We have just returned 

 from the west. Did not go south last winter as Mrs. 

 Boardman was not well enough to take the trip. I had 

 a good letter from Mr. Goode in the spring. Should be 

 pleased to hear from you sometime. Has Capt. Bendire's 

 egg book been printed yet ? Have you had many new 

 things of bird kind lately ? Do you know if Miss I/Ucy 

 Baird sold her house after the death of her mother ? " 



The year 1893 was quiet and uneventful. Mrs. Board- 

 man was not in good health and the year was spent at 

 home. October 6, Mr. Boardman wrote to Prof. Ridg- 

 way : "I send the sandpiper bird by to-night's express 

 and think it will not be much of a nondescript to you 

 when you see it, but I cannot make it out to my satis- 

 faction." 



Mrs. Boardman's health which had not been good 

 throughout the previous year failed rapidly during the 

 early months of the year 1894. Mr. Boardman had him- 

 self been ill from a severe kidney trouble and during the 

 last days of February little is recorded in his diary but 

 that of his own and Mrs. Boardman's illness. The fol- 

 lowing brief records tell the sad story : " February 24 — 

 Sick with bladder trouble. February 25 — Very poorly 

 with bladder trouble. February 26 — Charles came from 

 Frederic ton ; sick. February 27 — Quite sick. March 

 1 — Sick. March 2 — Sick. March 3 —Sick. March 4 

 — My dear wife died this morning and I so sick could 

 not see her or be with her. March 5 — Very fine day ; 

 I very sick. March 6 — Very fine day; my dear wife 

 buried this afternoon and I could not see her. March 

 7— Sick." 



